Obituaries

NEW BEDFORD -- George A. Vincent, 84, of State Road, Westport, formerly of Main Road, Westport, died Saturday, June 28, 2003, at Hallmark Nursing & Rehabilitation Center after a brief illness.

Born in East Irvington, N.Y., the son of the late James E. and Victoria J. (Anderson) Vincent, he resided in Westport most of his life.

He attended St. John the Baptist Church in Westport.

He worked at Tripp's Boat Yard in Westport until his retirement.

Mr. Vincent was an Army veteran of World War II; he served in Europe and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He received the Purple Heart and Oak Leaf Cluster. He also was a prisoner of war.

He enjoyed fishing and boating.

Survivors include a brother, Walter I. Vincent of Westport; a sister, Frances E. Gallant of New Bedford; and several nieces and nephews.

He was the brother of the late Cornelius J. Vincent and William A. Vincent.

His graveside service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Beech Grove Cemetery, Westport.

Arrangements are by Potter Funeral Home, 81 Reed Road, Westport.

PETER HERIDA, OBESITY LECTURER

MERIDEN, Conn. -- Peter Herida, who once shared his struggles with obesity with the nation, has died. He was 49.

The Meriden man was found dead in his apartment Thursday. An autopsy revealed he died of natural congestive heart failure.

Herida once weighed more than 800 pounds and in 1998 underwent gastric bypass surgery. His dramatic loss of 500 pounds was featured on the "Oprah Winfrey Show" earlier this year. He also was scheduled to be on the cover of the first issue of "WLS Lifestyles," a Connecticut-based magazine for weight loss surgery patients.

"He told me several months ago that he had a few months left," magazine founder Linda Almonte said. "He never went into it in detail, but he said it was a problem with his heart."

Herida lectured at hospitals and offered advice and encouragement to those considering the operation and ran a Web site detailing his experience.

"Peter had become a role model for many patients in Connecticut and thousands across the country in his struggle with the complicated illness of morbid obesity," said Randolph Reinhold, chief of surgery at the Hospital of Saint Raphael in New Haven, who performed Herida's operation.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete.

ROBERT POLICASTRO

WAREHAM -- Robert Policastro, 45, of Miami, Fla. and Topeka, Kan., died Wednesday, June 25, 2003, at Tobey Hospital.

He was the son of Mercedes (Crosso) Policastro of Miami and the late Angel Policastro.

Mr. Policastro worked as a Production Line Manager in Topeka.

He served in the United States Army.

Survivors include his mother; and a brother, Daniel Policastro of Miami.

He was the father of the late Robert A. Policastro.

A graveside service will be at — p.m. Tuesday in St. Patrick's Cemetery.

NEW BEDFORD -- Maurice R. Saulnier, 86, of New Bedford, died Saturday, June 28, 2003, at St. Luke's Hospital after a brief illness. He was the widower of Annette M. (Bousquet) Saulnier.

Born in New Bedford, the son of the late Edmond and Rose (Hebert) Saulnier, he was a lifelong resident of New Bedford.

He attended St. Anthony Church.

Mr. Saulnier was the former owner of Pine Grove Cleaners on Acushnet Avenue.

He was a member of the Fairhaven Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 1605; the Knights of Columbus 3rd Degree Stang Council; 4th Degree of Bishop Cassidy Assembly; a charter member of Sassaquin Lion's Club; and one of the founders of Acushnet Safe Boating Club.

Survivors include a grandson, Kevin R. and his wife, Anne Saulnier, of Westport; two great-granddaughters, Emma and Lilly Saulnier; a sister-in-law, Rita (Bousquet) Saulnier of New Bedford; two nieces; and a nephew.

He was the father of the late Ronald R. Saulnier and brother of the late Roland, Anatole and Roger Saulnier.

His funeral Mass will be at 9 a.m. tomorrow at St. Anthony Church, followed by interment in Sacred Heart Cemetery.

Arrangements are by Rock Funeral Home, 1285 Ashley Blvd.

MABEL WHITAKER

DARTMOUTH -- Mabel (Rodrigues) Whitaker, 88, of Dartmouth and formerly of New Bedford died Friday, June 27, 2003, at Brandon Woods after a long illness. She was the widow of Clarence W. Whitaker.

Born in New Bedford, the daughter of the late Manuel and Carolina (Gouveia) Rodrigues, she was a lifelong resident of New Bedford until relocating to Brandon Woods in Dartmouth several years ago.

She formerly was employed by Star Store in the beauty salon as a cosmetologist for many years until her retirement.

Mrs. Whitaker was a member of the Greater New Bedford Cosmetologist Association and formerly was an active YWCA member and a president.

In her leisure time she enjoyed painting.

Survivors include two daughters, Cynthia A. Cardin of East Freetown and Patricia J. Whitaker of Fall River; two grandchildren, Clifford Cardin of Freetown and Jodi Blair of Freetown; five great-grandchildren, Jessica Cardin, Samantha Cardin, Austin Blair, Aaron Blair and Allison Blair; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews from New York, North Carolina and Virginia.

WAREHAM -- Arthur E. Fernandes, 84, of Marion died Sunday, June 29, 2003, at Tobey Hospital. He was the husband of Rose A. (Thomas) Fernandes. They were married 60 years.

Born in Wareham, the son of the late Christian and Marian (Peters) Fernandes, he lived in Marion all his life. He graduated from the Sippican School in Marion.

Mr. Fernandes worked for numerous construction companies as a road laborer.

He loved to garden.

Survivors include his widow; 10 daughters, Bernadine Sacchetti and Rita Bretto, both of Rochester, Mary Pina, Arlene Mason, Pamela Rose, Rose-Renee Abbott, all of Wareham, Marion Baxter of New York City, Alice Fernandes of Marion, Margo Randall of Modesto, Calif., and Wanda Reed of Westerly, R.I.; two brothers, Christian Andrews of New Bedford and John Andrews of Sacramento, Calif.; 29 grandchildren; and 25 great-grandchildren.

He was the brother of the late Ray, Roy, Manuel, Frank and Peter Andrews, Dorothy Nunes and Mary Barros.

His funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in St. Rita's Church, Marion. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery, Marion.

NEW YORK -- Robert Wechsler, an advertising executive who helped create the Miss Rheingold Contest, died June 15 in Rye Brook, N.Y. He was 90.

Wechsler was only 26 when he and Liebmann Brewery president Philip Liebmann collaborated to develop Miss Rhinegold and promote the model playing her as the face of Liebmann's Rhinegold Beer through Wechsler's firm Einson Freeman.

The next year Liebmann decided to make Miss Rhinegold a contest whose winner was determined by the public. To create interest, Wechsler went through the New York area handing pennants with the portraits of the contestants and put ballot boxes in bars.

1952, the contest was drawing about 25 million votes and made Rheingold Beer the No. — beer in the New York market. Miss Rheingold continued until 1964. The brewery closed in 1976.

Wechsler was born in Manhattan in 1913. He graduated from Yale University in 1935 and served in the Navy from 1942 to 1945. He is survived by his wife, Doris; three daughters, 10 grandchildren; and 9 great-grandchildren.

HENRY PLOCH, COLLECTOR OF INNOVATIONS AND ART THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WEST CALDWELL, N.J. -- Henry Ploch, a computer consultant who amassed collections of innovations and art, died Wednesday. He was 80.

A lifelong arts lover, Ploch gave generously to museums. His donations -- works by Raphael Soyer, Ben Shahn, Arthur Dove and Georgia O'Keefe -- enriched the collections of the Newark Museum and the Montclair Art Museum.

Ploch owned one of Polaroid's earliest cameras, the first DVD player, and original Alfred Hitchcock movie posters.

Ploch worked as a systems analyst for the U.S. Department of Labor in Washington, and as a senior computer systems consultant for the General Services Administration, Western Union and Reuters.

HENRY R. DAVENPORT SR.

FAIRHAVEN -- Henry R. Davenport Sr., 89, died Thursday, June 26, 2003, at Our Lady's Haven after a brief illness. He was the husband of Marguerite Clemens (Mackay) and the widower of Ethel (Fawcett) Davenport.

Born in New Bedford, the son of the late Joseph W. and Annie Pearl (Moore) Davenport, he moved to Acushnet in the late 1930s and to Fairhaven in 1973. He attended New Bedford schools and was a graduate of New Bedford Textile School.

He was a member of the Paskamansett Masonic Lodge, AM, FM, and a former volunteer fireman in the Acushnet Fire Department.

Mr. Davenport was employed in the textile industry in New Bedford as a knotter for many years. He was employed by the Berkshire Hathaway Inc. and the Guilt Edge Textile Mill.

Mr. Davenport loved his family and his many friends, visits to Washington state and Martha's Vineyard. In his younger days he raised beagles and was an avid hunter. He loved to reminisce about old Acushnet and New Bedford. He was a loving and caring person.

Survivors include his widow; a son, Henry Davenport Jr. and his wife, Sandra, of Acushnet; a daughter, Barbara Bonville and her husband, Paul, of Acushnet; eight grandchildren, Henry "Chip" Davenport III, Ryan Davenport of Acushnet, Lance Davenport and his wife, Heidi, of New Bedford, Robin Kolbeck and her husband, Robert, of South Dartmouth, William Bonville and his wife, Bonnie, of South Attleboro, Paul E. Bonville Jr. of Fairhaven, Maryclaire Bonville of Acushnet and Elizabeth Bonville of New Bedford; three great-grandchildren, Sara and Laura Kolbeck of South Dartmouth and Nathan Davenport of New Bedford; a stepson, Doug Mackay and his wife, Chris, of New Bedford; two stepdaughters, Barbara Ogaard and her husband, Kaare, of Bothel, Wash., and Janice Aubut and her husband, Roland, of Martha's Vineyard; a stepdaughter-in-law, Annabella Mackay of Fairhaven; several step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

He was the brother of the late Arthur Davenport, Mildred Tenczar, Annie Hamer and Ruth Story, and stepfather of the late Capt. Chester Mackay.

His graveside funeral service will be at 10 a.m. July 19 in the Acushnet Cemetery.

NEW BEDFORD -- Dorothy Frances Medeiros, 83, of Melville Towers, died Thursday, June 26, 2003, at St. Luke's Hospital. She was the widow of Antone Medeiros.

Born in Fairhaven, the daughter of the late Fred and Isabel (James) Eaton, she lived in this community all of her life.

She was a member of the former First Presbyterian Church.

Over the years, Mrs. Medeiros was employed at Aerovox Co., S.S. Kresge Store downtown, and in recent years at the Donut Shoppe on Union Street.

Survivors include two sons, Allan Eaton of New Bedford and Brian Medeiros of Brockton; three brothers, William Eaton and Harold Eaton, both of Fairhaven, and Norman Eaton of Florida; two granddaughters; and a grandson.

Her graveside service will be at 930 a.m. Wednesday in Rural Cemetery.

Arrangements are with the Wilson Chapel, 479 County St.

TSUTAKO MASTERSON

WAREHAM -- Tsutako (Yoshihara) Masterson, 72, of Wareham, formerly of Marion, died unexpectedly, Friday, June 20, 2003 at home. She was the widow of James Masterson.

Born in Hiroshima, Japan, the daughter of the late Ishijirou and Mitsuyo (Tanai) Yoshihara, she immigrated to the United States in 1948 and lived in Marion for many years before moving to Wareham two years ago.

Mrs. Masterson was educated in Korea and Japan.

She was a seamstress for companies in New Bedford and in Sagamore. She and her husband owned and operated Jimmy's Variety in Marion for many years. They later owned and operated the New England Mop Company in East Wareham.

Survivors include two brothers, Renso and Kiyoshsi Yoshihara; three sisters, Kiyoko Tsuji, Taeko Tsuda and Tamiko Sakai, all of Osaka, Japan; and seven nieces and five nephews.

A private graveside service will be in the Veterans National Cemetery, Bourne.

NEW BEDFORD -- Charlotte B. (Jenney) Westman, 88, of New Bedford, died Thursday, June 19, 2003, at St. Luke's Hospital due to heart failure. She was the widow of Dr. James R. Westman; they were married 52 years.

Born in New Bedford, she was the daughter of the late William A. and Mildred E. (Brownell) Jenney.

Mrs. Westman had a great love of music and was a gifted musician and concert violinist. During her teens, she performed in concerts with her brother and sister throughout the New Bedford area, and studied violin under Felix Winternitz of the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston.

She received her bachelor of arts degree from Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester, N.Y., and took numerous music education courses while attending graduate school at Trenton State College (The College of New Jersey).

She was known throughout the central New Jersey area for her performances with the late Charlotte Garden's musical ensembles at the Crescent Avenue Church in Plainfield. She brought her considerable talents to teaching and special education, establishing music departments and creating innovative "reading through music" programs at elementary schools in Hunterdon County, N.J.

She also devoted many hours to civic and community affairs. She was the president of the League of Women Voters of Hunterdon County and served on the Board of Trustees of the Hunterdon Medical Center.

She and her husband made their home in New Hampton, N.J., for many years before retiring to South Dartmouth and Marco Island, Fla.

They shared many active interests including the preservation of wildlife, conservation of natural resources and education.

Mrs. Westman was part of a loving and devoted family. Her dynamic and creative spirit touched the lives of many.

Known as "Ginger" to her friends, she was cherished for her zest for life, warm generosity, and her unfailing readiness to listen and provide guidance with both wisdom and grace.

Survivors include two daughters, Elizabeth L. Mark of San Francisco, Calif. and Virginia M. Snyder of New Bedford; a brother, Dr. William L. Jenney of New Bedford; a grandson, Wesley L. Snyder of St. Louis, Mo.; and several nieces and nephews.

She was the sister of the late Esther P. Parlin.

A memorial service for family and friends will be held at noon, Aug. 16 at the Wilson Chapel, 479 County St.

AMY ROGERS, 97

NEW BEDFORD -- Amy (Whitworth) Rogers, 97, of Fairhaven, died Tuesday, June 24, 2003, at St. Luke's Hospital after a brief illness. She was the widow of Joseph Rogers.

Born in Middleboro, the daughter of the late Francis and Daisy (Badland) Whitworth, she had lived in Fairhaven since 1920.

Mrs. Rogers was a licensed practical nurse at the former Crary Hospital in Westport as well as in private duty.

She was a member of the Unitarian Memorial Church in Fairhaven, where she taught Sunday school for 20 years, and was a member of the Alliance of the Unitarian Memorial Church.

She was a board member of the King's Daughters Home in Fairhaven.

Mrs. Rogers traveled with her husband to Africa, Australia, New Zealand and the Orient. They showed movies and slide shows of the trips to organizations throughout the area. She loved doing crafts, especially her hand-crafted notepaper and bookmarks. She raised parakeets and had her gift shop in Fairhaven.

Survivors include a daughter, Amy Ryle and her husband, Arthur, of Fairhaven; six grandchildren, Bruce Morgan, David Morgan, Timothy Morgan, Susan Bailey, Steven Rogers and Stuart Rogers; eight great-grandchildren; four nieces; a nephew; and a dear friend, Dee Oliveira of Acushnet.

She was the mother of the late William Rogers and sister of the late William B. Whitworth and J. Alfred Whitworth.

Her memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 6, at the Unitarian Memorial Church.

Arrangements are by Fairhaven Funeral Home, 117 Main St.

This obituary is being published again to correct information provided to The Standard-Times.

RAYMOND F. PACHECO SR.

WESTPORT -- Raymond F. Pacheco Sr., 73, of Westport, died Saturday, June 28, 2003, at home with his family by his side after a long illness. He was the husband of Lorraine R. (Roberts) Pacheco.

Born in Westport, the son of the late John and Anna (Barcellos) Pacheco, he was a lifelong resident of the town. He graduated from Westport High School, class of 1956, as well as Bradford Durfee Technical School and Rhode Island Radio and Electronics School.

He was a communicant of St. George Church.

Mr. Pacheco was employed by Raytheon Co. of Portsmouth, R.I., as an electronics technician for 32 years until his retirement.

He was an Army veteran of the Korean conflict and also served in the Army Reserve. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8502 and the Disabled American Veterans.

Survivors include his widow; a daughter, Joanne M. Lynch Pacheco of Westport and her fiance, Steven J. Stokowski; a son, Raymond F. Pacheco Jr. of Westport and his wife, Vickie; two sisters, Rita Faber of Hawthorne, N.J., and Evelyn Sandoval of Rockville, Md.; three grandchildren, Sean, Michael and Kevin Lynch, all of Westport; and several nieces and nephews.

He was the brother of the late John Pacheco Jr.

His funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. George Church. Interment in Beech Grove Cemetery.

Arrangements are by Potter Funeral Home, 81 Reed Road.

PETER O. BECKER, III

NEW BEDFORD -- Peter O. Becker, III, 77, of New Bedford, died Saturday, June 28, 2003, at home after a brief illness. He was the widower of M. Patricia (McCann) Becker.

Born in Middleboro, the son of the late Phyllis W. (Sullivan) and Peter O. Becker Jr., he lived in New Bedford for most of his life.

Mr. Becker was employed by NYNEX for many years until his retirement in 1985.

He was a graduate of Middleboro High School and attended the Williams Business School.

He served in the Navy during World War II and the Korean War. He was awarded the American Area medal, the World War II Victory medal, and the Asiatic-Pacific medal.

He enjoyed boating and being with his family and friends.

Survivors include his close friends, Stacey and Daren Pereira and their daughter, Kaylee, of Acushnet, a brother, David Becker of Meriden, Conn.; two sisters, Cynthia Barents of Newington, Conn., and Lucy Neubauer of Albany, N.Y.; and several nieces and nephews.

He was the brother of the late Jane Elizabeth Kane.

His funeral Mass will be at 9 a.m. tomorrow in St. Mary's Church. Burial will follow in Pine Grove Cemetery.